This edition of The Session is sponsored Brian Yaeger at Red, White, and Brew.

The Session #28: Think/Drink Globally

[U]s beer bloggers know that craft beer is to be supported year-round, and that it doesn’t just come from America. So, in honor of Global Craft Beer Forever, I pose everyone writes about the farthest brewery (including brewpubs) you have visited and specifically the best beer you had there. Again, not your favorite or any old brewery you’ve been to, but the one that is the longest haul away, be it by airplane, car, ferry, rickshaw, whatever. (If you blog about beer but have never been to a House of Brewing, get on it!)

Then, the last part, since this exercise gives us an excuse to drink beer, do one of the following:

• if you brought home a bottle while visiting the brewery and have it secreted away, crack it open.
• if you don’t have any left from that visit but the particular beer is available where you live (or if not your fave from said brewery, another brand from it), go get one.
• otherwise, find a local beer of the same style and do a little compare and contrast.

Way back in 1998, I was recognized for my work accomplishments with a trip to Hawaii. We stayed on the big island in a beautiful resort, all expenses paid.

This was also relatively early in my quest to consume more of and learn more about good beer. I’d visited a couple of the new brewpubs near home, so made sure to stop at the Kona Brewery and Pub.

It was an awfully long time ago, so I don’t remember what beers we enjoyed that day. I do know, however, that we did enjoy them and I was disappointed that we couldn’t work in a second visit. I did make sure to get myself a glass and a t-shirt, however, and I still have them. (The shirt, apparently, is actually dyed with beer.)

That’s the farthest brewery I’ve ever visited. I’d love to go back.